Anyone involved in international medical education may have crossed the paths of Alberto and recognized him as a person with a strong personality and solid opinions while respectful of others ‘thoughts. At a first glance, he impressed by his physical appearance of a roman emperor and his stentorian voice but above all by the strength of his convictions and the well-constructed argumentation to make his points clearly understood.

Throughout his professional career as dean of medical school, president of international organization, founder of research institution, senior health advisor to political authorities and host of international scientific meetings, he has been an innovator, a reformist, a visionary. Nothing was more important for him than making a difference in improving the quality and performance of institutions, programs and health professionals.

His outstanding contribution to medical education and medical practice is due to its astute understanding of the imperative relationship between health systems and academic institutions. Achieving higher health outcomes and impact on people's well-being has constantly guided his work, as a teacher, researcher or administrator, in his various institutional leadership capacities. He loved interacting and arguing while involved in concrete implementation projects but never lost sight of where it should ultimately lead to: better health for all.

His unique combination of intellectual skills in grasping the health challenges at a policy level and the strategies for making the best use of the health workforce made him a precious advisor. He was also a faithful partner, always supporting with courage, sometimes against contrary winds, innovative ideas he thought where relevant for the common good. In my long international career in the World Health Organization, I considered Alberto as a seasoned colleague, a friend and a confidant. At his personal initiative he translated into Spanish two marking WHO documents: ‘Defining and measuring the social accountability of medical schools' and ‘Towards unity for health', significantly contributing to international initiatives in medical education and health institution management. At the occasion of an international conference in Montreal in the year 2002, I declared in public and in his presence that if WHO could count on ten personalities with the same stature of Alberto in the world, the transformation of international medical education would be much easier.

Alberto encouraged us to stare at a horizon line of improving health impact on society far beyond our personal interest. That is why he will remain in our memories.